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Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is considered the most prestigious symphony orchestra in Canada and one of the best in North America.

Composed of 92 permanent musicians and a choir, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal gives nearly 100 classical music concerts per year, the vast majority in the main concert hall, the Maison symphonique.

In addition to major concerts, symphony series and recitals, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal also gives shows for young people and shows featuring a more pop-music style of classical music as part of the OSM Pop series, which stars artists such as Les Trois Accords, Ariane Moffatt, Roch Voisine and many more.

Founded in 1934, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s first artistic director was Montréaler Wilfrid Pelletier (1935-1941), whose name adorns the first concert hall built in 1963 on the site that would become Place des Arts. The OSM earned its significant place on the international scene under the direction of Charles Dutoit (1977-2002). Since 2006, Kent Nagano has been the musical director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

An orchestra making its mark internationally

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal has greatly accentuated its presence at a number of festivals and on tour in Europe, Asia and South America in recent years. The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is also reputed for its hundred or so recordings over the years, which have earned it some fifty national and international awards, on prestigious labels including Decca, EMI, Philips, CBC Records, Analekta, ECM and Sony, as well as under its own label.